Keynotes among Suzhou’s gardens
Suzhou pairs UNESCO-listed classical gardens with China’s largest manufacturing sector. Paris brings The Grit Code to its multinationals and factories.
Canals, gardens and a Singapore-style park
Suzhou grew rich along the Grand Canal on silk and trade, and its Classical Gardens were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997 and 2000.
Its manufacturing sector, the largest of any Chinese city since 2020, covers steel, IT and electronics and textiles, and the city is one of China’s top destinations for foreign investment.
Suzhou Industrial Park was set up in February 1994 under an agreement between the Chinese and Singaporean governments.
Who Paris speaks to in Suzhou
Suzhou Industrial Park firms
English-language keynotes for international teams.
Electronics and pharma
Talks for operations leaders.
Xi’an Jiaotong–Liverpool University and Soochow University
Sessions for students and faculty.
Hotels and heritage
Talks for customer-facing staff.
Rooms and stages
Suzhou’s business events centre on the Industrial Park around Jinji Lake, with smaller dinners in the old town.
- Suzhou Industrial Park – with Jinji Lake and its hotels and conference venues
- Suzhou Museum – with its new wing designed by I. M. Pei, one of the most visited museums in the world
- Classical gardens – used for receptions and small private events
Pick the format
Choose the flagship Grit Code keynote (45–60 min), a Grit Deconstruction workshop (90 min to half day), a 30–45 min virtual keynote, or Paris as host and MC for the day. Compare formats →
Why audiences believe him
5 days, 21 hours, 51 minutes
The time it took Paris to run 7 marathons on 7 continents: Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami.
More than £150,000 raised
For marine conservation, by rowing 4,800 km across the Pacific in 2023.
See the Shanghai and Nanjing pages, or read The Grit Code. Keynote speaker Shanghai · Keynote speaker Nanjing · The Grit Code keynote
On stage or on screen
Available for in-person events in Suzhou, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book speakers about three months ahead, so an early enquiry gives the best chance of your preferred date.
Talks are delivered in English; an interpreter can be arranged by the organiser where helpful.
See also keynote speaker in China, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Suzhou’s economy and who the talk is for
Suzhou has a population of about 12,748,262 (2020 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Students, graduates and faculty
Suzhou’s universities, including Soochow University, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and Soochow University, make it a strong market for student, graduate and alumni events. Paris speaks to young audiences about effort, setbacks and choosing hard goals, and to faculty about building resilient teams.
Typical formats include welcome weeks, graduation events, entrepreneurship programmes and alumni dinners. University keynote speaker →
How a Grit Code session works
- Before the event, Paris speaks with the organiser about the audience and the outcome they want.
- On the day, the 45–60 minute Grit Code keynote mixes adventure film, stories and practical tools.
- Afterwards, teams can go deeper with a Grit Deconstruction workshop of 90 minutes to half a day.
The content is shaped around Suzhou organisations and their goals, so the room hears examples that match its own challenges. Paris presents as an adventurer and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, not as a theorist.
Where the talk fits in Suzhou
Organisers in Suzhou usually book Paris for one of these occasions:
- Annual company conferences and town halls.
- Change and transformation programmes, including AI adoption.
- Safety, wellbeing and performance days for operations teams.
- Charity dinners and community events, which Paris knows well as an ambassador for Gulf for Good.
Credentials at a glance
- His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
- Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
- He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
- In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Suzhou?
Yes. He is available for Suzhou conferences, offsites and leadership events, on site or online.
Does Paris speak to multinational teams in Suzhou Industrial Park?
Yes. English-language keynotes for international teams are a core part of his work.
Can Paris run a workshop after the keynote?
Yes. The Grit Deconstruction workshop runs from 90 minutes to half a day.
Does Paris speak at universities in Suzhou?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as Soochow University and Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Suzhou?
Yes. The Grit Deconstruction workshop runs from 90 minutes to half a day and turns the keynote’s ideas into team habits and actions.
Can the keynote be delivered online for teams in Suzhou?
Yes. A 30–45 minute virtual version is available for remote or hybrid audiences, delivered in your local time zone.
Who has Paris spoken for?
Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
Planning an event in Suzhou?
Tell us about the room and the date. You can also book a call.